156 research outputs found
A hybrid classical/quantum approach to cluster fragmentation dynamics: Application to the vibrational predissociation of He2Cl2
A new hybrid classical/quantum method is proposed and applied to investigate the vibrational predissociation (VP) dynamics of the He2Cl2 complex. The full dimensionality of the system (assuming zero total angular momentum) is included in the method. The VP process He2Cl2 is dominated by a sequential mechanism of dissociation of the two van der Waals bonds. The hybrid approach describes the first weak bond fragmentation classically, and the second one quantum mechanically. The rotational distribution of the Cl2 fragment is calculated both with the hybrid method and with a fully classical trajectory simulation, and compared with the experimental distribution. The hybrid distribution is found to agree very well with the experimental one, and to involve a substantial improvement with respect to the classical result. © 1998 American Institute of Physics.This work has been supported by the D.G.I.C.Y.T. Grant No. PB95-0071 ~Spain! and the Spanish-French cooperation program PICASSO No. HF1996-0232.Peer Reviewe
Zn(II) detection in biological samples with a smart sensory polymer
We have developed a new sensory material for the rapid and inexpensive determination of Zn(II), and we have carried out a proof of concept for the determination of Zn(II) in biological samples. The interaction with Zn(II) generates an OFF-ON fluorescence process on the material, which can be recorded both with a fluorimeter and with a smartphone by analyzing the RGB components of the taken photographs. This sensory material is prepared with 99.75% of commercially available monomers and contains 0.25% of a sensory monomer based on a quinoline structure. The sensory motifs are chemically anchored to the polymeric structure, and, accordingly, no migration of organic substances from the material occurs during the sensing process. Our method has been tested with freshly prepared Zn(II) aqueous solutions, but also with biological samples from exudates of chronic wounds. The proposed methodology provides limits of detection (LOD) of 13 and 27âŻppb when employing a water-soluble polymer (WsP) and a hydrophilic polymeric film (HP), respectively, using emission spectroscopy. The measurements have been contrasted with ICP-MS as the reference method, obtaining reliable data. This study is the starting point toward a larger investigation with patients, which will address the challenge of establishing a direct relationship between the concentration of zinc(II), other cations and also of amino acids, with the protease activity and, finally, with the state/evolution of chronic wounds. In this context, the proposed sensory material and others we are now working with will act as a simple and cheap method for this purpose.FEDER (Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional), and both the Spanish Ministerio de EconomĂa, Industria y Competitividad (MAT2017-84501-R) and the ConsejerĂa de EducaciĂłnâJunta de Castilla y LeĂłn (BU061U16
Why is the Sensory Response of Organic Probes within a Polymer Film Different in Solution and in the Solid-State? Evidence and Application to the Detection of Amino Acids in Human Chronic Wounds
We anchored a colourimetric probe, comprising a complex containing copper (Cu(II)) and
a dye, to a polymer matrix obtaining filmâshaped chemosensors with induced selectivity toward
glycine. This sensory material is exploited in the selectivity detection of glycine in complex mixtures
of amino acids mimicking elastin, collagen and epidermis, and also in following the protease activity
in a beefsteak and chronic human wounds. We use the term inducing because the probe in solution
is not selective toward any amino acid and we get selectivity toward glycine using the solidâstate.
Overall, we found that the chemical behaviour of a chemical probe can be entirely changed by
changing its chemical environment. Regarding its behaviour in solution, this change has been
achieved by isolating the probe by anchoring the motifs in a polymer matrix, in an amorphous state,
avoiding the interaction of one sensory motif with another. Moreover, this selectivity change can be
further tuned because of the effectiveness of the transport of targets both by the physical nature of
the interface of the polymer matrix/solution, where the target chemicals are dissolved, for instance,
and inside the matrix where the recognition takes place. The interest in chronic human wounds is
related to the fact that our methods are rapid and inexpensive, and also considering that the protease
activity can correlate with the evolution of chronic wounds.FEDER (Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional), and both the Spanish Ministerio de EconomĂa, Industria y Competitividad (MAT2017â84501âR) and the ConsejerĂa de EducaciĂłnâJunta de Castilla y LeĂłn (BU061U16
EN-thinking (entrepreneurial thinking) - English Studies Matter!
Este proyecto de innovaciĂłn busca proporcionar un ejemplo de aplicaciĂłn prĂĄctica del desarrollo de habilidades de pensamiento crĂtico y emprendimiento en las Humanidades y, en concreto, en el Grado de Estudios Ingleses (ĂĄrea de Literatura)
Addition of hyaluronic acid improves tlerance to 7% hypertonic saline solution in bronchiectasis patients.
Background: The excessive retention of sputum in the airways, leading to pulmonary infections, is a common consequence of bronchiectasis. Although inhalation of 7% hypertonic saline (HS) has proven an effective method to help remove the mucus, many patients are intolerant of this treatment. The addition of 0.1% hyaluronic acid to HS (HS+HA) could increase tolerance to HS in these patients. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the tolerability of HS+HA in bronchiectasis patients who are intolerant to HS. Methods: This prospective, observational, open-label study analysed the outcomes of two groups of bronchiectasis patients previously scheduled to start HS therapy. Patients were assessed for tolerance to HS by a questionnaire, spirometry and clinical evaluation. Patients who were intolerant were evaluated for tolerance to HS+HA approximately one week later. All patients were evaluated for their tolerance to HS or HS+HA 4 weeks after the start of their treatment. Patients were also assessed with quality-of-life and adherence questionnaires, and all adverse events were registered. Results: A total of 137 bronchiectasis patients were enrolled in the study (age = 63.0 ± 14.7 years; 63.5% women). Of these, 92 patients (67.1%) were tolerant and 45 patients (32.9%) were intolerant to HS. Of the 45 patients intolerant to HS, 31 patients (68.9%) were tolerant and 14 patients (31.1%) intolerant to HS+HA. Of these 31 tolerant patients, 26 (83.9%) could complete the 4-week treatment with HS+HA. Conclusions: Two-thirds of bronchiectasis patients that presented intolerance to inhaled HS alone are tolerant to inhaled HS+HA, suggesting that HA improves tolerance to HS therapy
Repair of Mitral Prolapse: Comparison of Thoracoscopic Minimally-invasive and Conventional Approaches
Objectives: Surgical repair remains the best treatment for severe primary mitral regurgitation (MR). Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery is being increasingly performed, but there is a lack of solid evidence comparing thoracoscopic with conventional surgery. Our objective was to compare outcomes of both approaches for repair of leaflet prolapse. Methods: All consecutive patients undergoing surgery for severe MR due to mitral prolapse from 2012 to 2020 were evaluated according to the approach used. Freedom from mortality, reoperation and recurrent severe MR were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier method. Differences in baseline characteristics were adjusted with propensity score-matched analysis (1:1, nearest neighbour). Results: Three hundred patients met inclusion criteria and were divided into thoracoscopic (N = 188) and conventional (sternotomy; N = 112) groups. Unmatched patients in the thoracoscopic group were younger and had lower body mass index, New York Heart Association class and EuroSCORE II preoperatively. After matching, thoracoscopic group presented significantly shorter mechanical ventilation (9 vs 15 h), shorter intensive care unit stay (41 vs 65 h) and higher postoperative haemoglobin levels (11 vs 10.2 mg/dl) despite longer bypass and cross-clamp times (+30 and +17 min). There were no differences in mortality or MR grade at discharge between groups nor differences in survival, repair failures and reinterventions during follow-up. Conclusions: Minimally invasive mitral repair can be performed in the majority of patients with mitral prolapse, without compromising outcomes, repair rate or durability, while providing shorter mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit stay and less blood loss
Structure and composition of subtidal seaweed assemblages in the Marine Reserves from Canary Islands: spatial variation and environmental factors
COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA): Hospital or Home Environment as a Source of Life-Threatening Aspergillus fumigatus Infection?
Most cases of invasive aspergillosis are caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, whose conidia are ubiquitous in the environment. Additionally, in indoor environments, such as houses or hospitals, conidia are frequently detected too. Hospital-acquired aspergillosis is usually associated with airborne fungal contamination of the hospital air, especially after building construction events. A. fumigatus strain typing can fulfill many needs both in clinical settings and otherwise. The high incidence of aspergillosis in COVID patients from our hospital, made us wonder if they were hospital-acquired aspergillosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the hospital environment was the source of aspergillosis infection in CAPA patients, admitted to the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, during the first and second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, or whether it was community-acquired aspergillosis before admission. During 2020, sixty-nine A. fumigatus strains were collected for this study: 59 were clinical isolates from 28 COVID-19 patients, and 10 strains were environmentally isolated from seven hospital rooms and intensive care units. A diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis was based on the ECCM/ISHAM criteria. Strains were genotyped by PCR amplification and sequencing of a panel of four hypervariable tandem repeats within exons of surface protein coding genes (TRESPERG). A total of seven genotypes among the 10 environmental strains and 28 genotypes among the 59 clinical strains were identified. Genotyping revealed that only one environmental A. fumigatus from UCI 5 (box 54) isolated in October (30 October 2020) and one A. fumigatus isolated from a COVID-19 patient admitted in Pneumology (Room 532-B) in November (24 November 2020) had the same genotype, but there was a significant difference in time and location. There was also no relationship in time and location between similar A. fumigatus genotypes of patients. The global A. fumigatus, environmental and clinical isolates, showed a wide diversity of genotypes. To our knowledge, this is the first study monitoring and genotyping A. fumigatus isolates obtained from hospital air and COVID-19 patients, admitted with aspergillosis, during one year. Our work shows that patients do not acquire A. fumigatus in the hospital. This proves that COVID-associated aspergillosis in our hospital is not a nosocomial infection, but supports the hypothesis of "community aspergillosis" acquisition outside the hospital, having the home environment (pandemic period at home) as the main suspected focus of infection.S
Clear-Cell Adenocarcinoma of Vesical Origin: A Case Study of Metastatic Disease Treated with Chemotherapy
Vesical clear cell adenocarcinoma is an uncommon tumour. The description of nearly all published cases focuses on histological issues, providing few clinical particulars and limited followup. The treatment choice is resection. No publications have been found regarding systemic treatments for advanced disease. We present a case of metastatic clear cell adenocarcinoma of the bladder treated with chemotherapy
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